The history of the relations of the Jews with their neighbours and their foes is typical of the existing relations of the Christian and the world. This history is therefore a personal matter to all of us. The wretched Hebrews had been disarmed by the Philistines, their most persistent foes. The very implements of husbandry had to be taken for repairs to the anvil of the enemy. It is impossible to imagine a more hopeless state of affairs: all the instruments of warfare on one side; all forethought, all prudence, all resolution, on one side. We see the triumphant scorn of the heathen, the sullen despair of the Israelite, and we reflect with wonder that to this state God's people had fallen.
I. We may expect that Satan will strive to disarm us. We may also expect that in some cases he will succeed. With this history before our eyes, it need not surprise us if Christians sharpen their ploughshares at Satan's workshops. It need not surprise us if the maxims of business, if the rules of prudence, if the conventionalities of society, are not much influenced by the rule of life laid down by Christ, but are dictated by a selfish, exclusive spirit.
II. This state of the Hebrews is easily accounted for. They had been idolatrous, depraved, and torn by civil strife. They were also wrapped up in money-making. They were busy in everything but the chief concern of life. We see here revealed the extent and the nature of the power of sin. Sin may be so persisted in as to render recovery hopeless. Satan disarms us, and there is neither sword nor spear in our hand.
III. With every one of us the process of arming or disarming is daily going on. Christ is above, but He sees us here below, and will buckle His own armour upon us. He will give us the armour with which He foiled the tempter, the armour with which He withstood and defeated every temptation that can befall His people.
F. Case, Short Practical Sermons,p. 62.
Reference: 1 Samuel 13; 1 Samuel 14 Parker. vol. vi., p. 323.